Valparaiso University's Crusaders started out the game tonight the same way they have for the past 2 months...SLOW. Once again, they almost lost another key Horizon League Game. But behind Seniors Shawn Huff and Jarryd Loyd, they held off the Detroit Titans tonight 59-56, in yet another down to the last shot finish!

It is pretty simple now for the Crusaders. IF they want to host a 1st Round Horizon League Game at the ARC next Tuesday Evening, they MUST beat Wright State on this Saturday, March 1st ! It will it be a BIG game for them, set to be on National T.V. as ESPN 2 will cover the game live  11 am CST Tip Off .

As I said, Valpo started, simply put, pathetically slow, for a game that they had to win! Only scoring (I think a season low) 20 points in the 1st half. Believe it or not, they actually lead at half-time. Detroit shot a miserable 27.3% from the field and only tallied 17pts. Valpo shot an equally miserable 29.2% from the field and worse 28.6% from the charity line. Detroit played, without a doubt, the most intense multiple zone defenses I have ever seen thrown in a half ! They showed 2-3 zone, then switched to a 2-1-2 zone with precision weak-side help. Let's not forgot to mention the 1-2-2 full court zone press, followed back with a box in 1 defense! ...whew...did I say all that ? - LOL. Valpo had NO answers at all for any of these zones in the first half! Detroit ran a great motion offense and behind Josh Samarco's 15 points, followed by Eulis Stephens 14 points, they gave Valparaiso University everything they could handle.

BUT..it was Senior night ! There was no way Valpo and the 3 seniors would let it rain on their parade! Shawn Huff is starting to play prime time basketball and finished the game with 14 points. Jarryd Loyd finished with 15 points and 5 assists. He also hit the final 2 free throws clutch-like, to give Valpo a 59-56 lead, which was just enough to seal the deal and set up what I am calling "SHOWDOWN SATURDAY"

So now it goes down to 1 game, (40 minutes) for the Crusaders of Valparaiso, in their first year of play in the Horizon League! They have to hold their own and play really a perfect game this Saturday.

Amazing that Valparaiso has played 4 Top 10 teams this year :

• North Carolina
• Vanderbilt (which is sure to get into the top 10 after beating #1 Tennessee) 
• Butler 
• Wisconsin

That is some pretty impressive play for a Mid-Major team. Hence, a fairly high strength of schedule in the RPI ratings. 1 game at a time. IF Valpo is to Continue playing in March, they will have to win the Horizon League Conference for that automatic bid. I say, anything, anything can happen in March Madness ! Could Vapo be the Cinderella this year ? Who knows?  It will all start this Saturday at the ARC against Wright State - 11am CST on ESPN 2..Let the Madness begin :)

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

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